This is what it's like to have M.E.

by Pat Mathewson
Being too weak to wash or dress yourself.

Too weak to clean your own teeth.

Too weak to wash and dry your own hair so that your teenage son has to do it.

Too weak to do the cooking you love.

Too weak to chop a carrot.

Too weak to cut up your own food on your plate.

It means listening to the laughter and chatter of your family in a distant room as they try to enjoy Christmas without you... as you lie in a darkened room wishing you could fall asleep